ROCK CREEK -- With champagne and shovels, civic leaders Thursday kicked off an expansion of the Washington County Museum, a project they hope will propel the museum into the future.

"It's another great day in Washington County -- and I'm not just talking about the weather," said Tom Brian, chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, while the sun shone on the plowed earth south of the current building.

The $1.7 million first phase calls for renovating the 5,000-square-foot museum and adding 6,000 square feet. The building sits on the Portland Community College campus at Rock Creek.

A Portland firm, CIDA, designed the expansion, which will add to and update the collection storage area and office space and create a circa-1890s one-room classroom for lectures and lessons.

The classroom will feature a slate chalkboard, wood plank floors and a wood-burning stove and will allow museum staff to offer programs they couldn't due to lack of space, said Mark Granlund, executive director of the museum.

"It's going to be such a fun space," he said before the ceremony.

The first phase is expected to take about six months to complete.

A second phase, estimated to cost $500,000 to $1 million, would push 1,000 square feet to the north, expanding the exhibit space and adding an espresso cafe and museum store. That phase depends on the Washington County Historical Society securing more donations.

Many credited Granlund's persistence for bringing the first phase to reality after more than five years of planning and seeking donations.

"It is one of those things you never think is going to happen," said Carole Thomas, a former board president of the historical society. "All you have to do is smile and nod your head and Mark will do the rest."

Joan Smith, former executive director of the museum, told the more than 50 people gathered Thursday that Washington County's roots are with the Oregon pioneers and the new building reflected that past and connected to the future.

"All of you are part of that tradition of stepping up and making something happen," Smith said.